Gallery: Boise State aura is long gone, as SDSU proves

Whatever becomes of Boise State’s final season in the Mountain West, a brief tenure that may, unbelievably, end without an outright conference title, the short stint in the league has robbed the Broncos of one thing that may never come back, writes Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman — their home invincibility.

The signature blue turf at Bronco Stadium was the ultimate security blanket. A most unwelcome mat for foes, who left bruised, battered and mostly blown out.

In 10 seasons in the Western Athletic Conference, the Broncos never lost a league home game, reeling off 40 consecutive home wins in conference play. Between 2000 and 2010, the Broncos lost just twice on their carpet — both to BCS-conference teams (Washington State in 2001 and Boston College in the then-MPC Computers Bowl in 2005).

But something changed when the Broncos switched leagues. The new foes in the Mountain West weren’t awed by Bronco Stadium — or the team inside it.

In their first visit to the blue, TCU ended the Broncos’ 35-game home winning streak.

But at least the Horned Frogs were headed to a BCS league and had a pedigree. A loss to them was understandable.

San Diego State walked into Bronco Stadium on Saturday and showed just how awed they are by the place, coming away with a 21-19 upset.

The aura is gone — and it’s not coming back.

Trivia time

SDSU has won five straight football games. When is the last time the Aztecs had a winning streak that long in a single season?

Can you hear me now?

An NFL referee lost his temper and used an obscenity during the Dolphins-Colts game Sunday, and it was obvious to everyone inside Lucas Oil Stadium and those watching on television.

It occurred when a member of referee Tony Corrente’s crew asked for a conference following a penalty with 5:22 left in the game. Indy’s defense had just been called for having 12 men on the field, and it appeared the question was about where to spot the ball.

As a second official called over to the referee, and with Corrente’s microphone on, Corrente shouted “What in the f--- are you guys doing?”

That part was heard by the crowd of 66,479, but did not make it on the air.

The rest of the discussion did, including Corrente explaining the spot was correct by shouting “That was ... god---- it.”

CBS broadcaster Kevin Harlan immediately apologized.

Downward slide

In the 20 games Eagles QB Michael Vick has played since signing a $100 million deal before last season, he’s a .500 quarterback who is maddeningly inconsistent and prone to turning the ball over, writes Tim Dahlberg of The Associated Press. Critics argue he doesn’t see the field well, can’t adjust to defenses and no longer has the legs at the age of 32 to consistently run his way out of trouble.

Vick himself said this week he needed to get his “swag” back and start playing more aggressively.

No better way to get that swag back than by playing the Saints tonight. The Saints are so defensively challenged that they allow 50 yards more a game than the league’s next worst defense. If Vick and the Eagles can’t take advantage of this matchup, they’re not going to have much in the way of confidence looking ahead.

You have to wonder, though, just what Vick has left. He got through the early part of his career on sheer talent alone, but that isn’t enough anymore.

Trivia answer

The Aztecs’ current win streak is their longest since winning six straight in 1995.